pennState ES Land And Community UHB A Penn State focus Agricultural sciences Tim Collins Capitol Region Community and Economic Development Agent “Land and Community” is a central theme in the work of Capitol Region Community and Economic Development Team members. Our new monthly col umn reflects our educational ef forts with both farmers and non farmers as individuals and as part of the communities where they live. Rural land and communities are woven together. For centu ries, farming has been integral to the fabric of rural southeastern and southcentral Pennsylvania’s economic, political, and social life. Yet, for many, agriculture is changing fairly quickly. At the same time, our communities are changing as they are absorbed into the expanding East Coast urban corridor. A new publication from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic De velopment, Planning for Agricul ture, notes two trends that have affected Pennsylvania’s economy and the agricultural sector: shift ing land use and increased public concern for the environment. The publication points out that most farmers are in something of a double bind. First, they face high ly competitive global markets that squeeze their profitability. Second, nearby development puts them closer to nonfarm neighbors than ever before, increasing the potential for conflict. New devel opment tends to push up taxes and may bring about increased restrictions on farming opera tions. Communities in our area also are in a bind. As populations grow, they face extremely com- Absolutely The Ultimate in Cow Comfort • Designed by farmers • Inert - does not promote fungus or bacterial growth • 3” nominal thickness • Water and acid resistant polyurethane binder • Comfort doesn’t change after 7 years in bam and running • Mattress pads are guaranteed provided the top cover doesn’t have holes in it with the original installation ★ Call For References ★ Installation & Financing Available to all the farmers who have installed Ulti-Mat* in the last 7 years. plicated land use problems, in cluding water quality and quanti ty. How do they preserve agriculture in the face of rapid growth? How do they deal with the declining number of farms brought about by the squeeze on profits and the lure of the high price farmers can fetch by selling the land for housing or other new construction? How do commu nities encourage and retain ag-re lated businesses, such as equip ment and feed dealers? What other types of businesses should they support? How do they deal with new residents who love the view, but don’t necessarily under stand how farms work? In the coming months, mem bers of the Capital Region Com munity and Economic Develop ment Team column will look at some of these issues from their various perspectives. We will ad dress how we can sustain farming and community life in changing Ulti-Mat All Rubber Cow Mattress Installation Continuous Cow Comfort - THE ONLY All Rubber Mattress that recovers to original shape after cow movement. Tim Collins Zartman Farms now has Water Resistant & Waterproof Mattress Covers times. Some of us will offer tips that farmers can use to improve their operations. Others will dis cuss the relationship between farms and communities. Here’s a tentative lineup of what we have planned over the next year; • “Getting started selling to restaurants” and “Agritourism as a potential pathway to sustaina bility” by Steve Bogash from Franklin County. • “Local governments and land use planning” and “What is a ‘sustainable community?” by Tim Collins from Adams County. • “Benefits of business plan ning” and “Starting an agricul tural business” by Lynn Kime from Adams County. • “Conservation funding pro grams for farmers and landown ers” and Income from woodlot management” by George Hurd from Franklin County. • “Monitoring a well during drought conditions” and “Water testing to protect your family” by Tom McCarty from Cumberland County. • “Living to farm or farming to live” and “What is value added?” by Winifred McGee from Leba non County. If you have any comments or column ideas, please contact Tim Collins at tucl@psu.edu, or (717)334-6271, ext. 317.1 look for ward to hearing from you. AMISHTOWN GENERAL STORE, LLC Hardware • Tools • Martin Senour Paints DiWALt ItuUCila h~K V «»l ©BOSTUCH.! Nuts & Bolts By The Pound Animal Health Supplies Air Compressors & Fittings, Plumbing Supplies, Lawn & Garden, Volleyball & Croquet Sets, Trikes, Scooters, Express Wagons 147-A Amishtown Rd. New Holland, PA 17557 Phone: 717*355*9400 Open M-F 6A M -6PM,Tluus night till 8 PM, Sat 7AM -2PM POLYDOME TRUCKLOAD SALE ‘Timber 2003’ June 13-14 HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) The Pennsylvania Forest Products Association (PFPA) an nounced that “Timber 2003” will be conducted here at the Pennsyl vania Farm Show Complex, Fri day and Saturday, June 13-14. “We’re very proud to offer a venue in which the forest prod ucts industry the state’s fourth largest industry can share its services, equipment, and technol ogy,” said Paul Lyskava, PFPA executive director. “ ‘Timber 2003’ is an excellent networking opportunity for the providers of all of the essential components of this modem and productive in dustry.” Lyskava noted this is expected to be the largest wood products industry trade show in the Mid- Atlantic this year. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both June 13 and 14. The Web site is www.hlma.org/timber2oo3. 11 Poly Square Big Foot Calf Nursery 5-1/2’ x 8’ Buy 10 or More and receive... $33 off list Exhibits will be in the new ex hibition hall of the Farm Show and also will be set up outside of the complex. In addition to for estry, logging, saw milling, pallet manufacturing, and trucking, there will be service and business assistance exhibitors. Visitors can tour the Pennsyl vania Wood Mobile, a traveling public education exhibit. The Wood Mobile truck and trailer were donated by Deer Park Lum ber, Tunkhannock, whose presi dent, Ron Andrews, is chair of “Timber 2003.” More than a dozen free semi nars are being offered to attend ees during the event, including sessions on marketing, emerging technology, current issues, and sustainable forestry programs. There is a $7 admission fee, with no admission for children under age 16. There also is a $5 parking charge at the Farm Show Complex. Smile...we’ve got you covered! 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